Blues unravel as Joseph Sua’ali’i hit goes down in Origin’s hall of infamy

In 45 years of rugby league’s grand confrontation, there has never been anything like it. Joseph Sua’ali’i became the fastest man to be sent off in State of Origin. And his shoulder to the face of rugby league’s biggest asset on Wednesday night will go down among the series’ most notorious moments.

There was Gorden Tallis being marched in 2000 for calling referee Bill Harrigan a cheat. Craig Greenhill taking off Paul Harragon’s head in 1996. Trent Waterhouse being the third man in on a falling, concussed Steve Price following a Brett White punch in 2009.

These are the episodes that pushed the boundaries of even the toughest arena of rugby league. Origin is known for making physical intimidation the norm, for a higher threshold of rule enforcement. But Sua’ali’i’s savage act on Reece Walsh proved shocking still.

Leading into the match, the code-hopper’s selection for New South Wales – after promising displays for the Roosters in his final season of 13-a-side – was controversial. What came next was instant ignominy.

To be fair, Sua’ali’i looked great with his one touch of the ball. Minutes into the contest, he took a hit up and tore into Tom Dearden, forcing the Maroons five-eighth back and making nine metres, including two after contact for those who were counting. But that was the sum total of what may be his lone appearance for the Blues.

On Wednesday morning, the front cover of a Sydney newspaper promised the “Blues will ‘terrorise’ QLD pretty boy”, citing Blues “legends” Ben Elias and Mark Carroll. Carroll said he wanted to get his hands on Walsh, referencing his hair and painted fingernails, saying his “beautiful blue eyes would be spinning”. Elias called for Walsh to be “obliterated”.

Many will say it was light-hearted banter, of the variety typical around Origin time. But when Liam Martin hammered Walsh into the turf after an early kick, getting away with an act that has been penalised regularly in the NRL this season, then towering over and shouting at the Broncos flyer, the words came to life.

Seconds later, it was Sua’ali’i’s turn. The Broncos fullback had offloaded the ball late, deep in the line, but the shoulder of Rugby Australia’s newest flight risk had already hit launch. The contact was clean with Walsh’s head; his hair flicked back and his pink boots sprang up as his body rag-dolled into the turf. It was sickening and, plainly, as Elias had foretold.

In the aftermath, there was confusion and concern. Walsh’s team-mates Reuben Cotter, Ben Hunt and Patrick Carrigan stayed by the side of the fullback, his arm hanging awkwardly in the cool night sky. Up the other end, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was close to scoring, before the play broke down. Ashley Klein called over Sua’ali’i along with Blues captain Jake Trbojevic, and pointed to the stands. Trbojevic was shocked, repeatedly shouting “off?” in disbelief.

Of their reaction, some let it out, others kept it in. Queensland assistant coach Nate Myles unleashed a torrent of abuse at the Blues centre as he walked from the field. Understanding the enormity of the task then facing their team – and perhaps even harbouring concern for the Queenslander – the 77,000 mostly Blue crowd fell silent. Minutes later, on the Channel Nine broadcast, an angry Billy Slater declined to comment.

Some around Accor Stadium – and many more watching at home – may have thought an early send-off was harsh. That it was State of Origin, and different rules apply. That Walsh ducked into it. That it ruined the contest.

In the context of increasing concerns over player welfare, Klein had no other choice. The play might have been waved play on, or even praised, in the 1980s and 1990s. But Tina Turner has sadly passed on, and rugby league whistles a new tune.

The early drama exposed the limitations of the plan of rookie New South Wales coach Michael Maguire. He had selected a bench full of forwards, so when his centre was sent from the field, there was not much he could do. It took two tries down the Blues’ gaping right side for NSW to stem the bleeding, largely thanks to the brilliance of Stephen Crichton being shifted over to help. To the credit of Maguire and his players, they stayed within touching distance until the latter stages. But after the 38-10 defeat, winning back the shield seems further away than ever.

There are 80-minute players, the old saying goes. Now, there is the eight-minute marvel. The man who was poached by Rugby Australia for a reported $5m, then given his Blues debut, returned barely 10 cents in the dollar for his coach Michael Maguire. For Wednesday night’s work, Sua’ali’i took home something in the order of $30,000. For being one of just six players sent off in 45 years of Origin, he faces a four-match suspension.

Walsh returned to the benches in the first half after passing his head injury assessment. He appeared in good spirits, waving to the crowd and holding his daughter. With his mandatory stand-down, he is set to miss potentially the next two NRL games. But he should be right for game two of the series, and Origin’s return to the MCG for the first time since 2018.

The 77,214 rugby league fans at Accor Stadium hardly got to see him. But close to 100,000 in Melbourne might get a glimpse of what – for rugby league – is worth protecting.